Smartphone—The Swiss Army Knife Of Gadgets

It’s amazing how a mere gadget can get so intricately connected with our day-to-day tasks that we almost start living our lives out of that gadget. Yes, it’s the smartphone we are talking about. With the plethora of features and software available on this handy device, it is by far the most important digital handheld device in our life today.

Nowadays, especially, these devices are adorned with features and functionality that set them apart from all the other gadgets we operate for functioning in our daily lives. Today, these multifunctional devices incorporate features of a touchscreen computer including web browsing, Wi-Fi, and third-party applications. They not only serve as our quickest medium of communication but equip us with many other sophisticated features such as the GPS system, digital camera, flashlight, voice recorder, home automation controller, news broadcasting system and much more.

It's no wonder then that the industry sells more than a billion smartphones every year. Forecasts even suggest that by 2017, the number of sales each year will be more than two billion, while feature phones further fade into irrelevancy.

Tomi T. Ahonen, an independent consultant and expert in the converging areas of mobile telecom, Internet, and media identified six stages of mass media. He identified these stages as print, recording, cinema, radio, television, and the Internet. However, he realized that the raging supremacy of mobile phones over the rest of communication media cannot be withheld. This led him to add a seventh one: smart cell phones. What led Tomi and others in the field to make this addition were the benefits that distinguish a this device from the other six stages.

Cell phone is the first personal form of mass media that is handy and easy to operate. It is permanently carried by individuals and stays with them almost all the time. With all these smart features and much more, it is absolutely no wonder that mobile phones have become the Swiss army knife of gadgets today!

Save Money on Cramming-Free Phone Bills

Cramming is the practice of placing deceptive charges on Customer’s monthly bills. They come in many forms and are onerous to detect unless the customer closely reviews his or her monthly phone bill. In 2004, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved rules against cramming, requiring telecommunication companies to erase the charges from customers’ phone bills and give a refund within 45 days from the date the bill is altered.

Recently, the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) accused T-Mobile, the U.S.A wireless service provider, of bilking mobile phone users out of hundreds of millions of dollars with bogus horoscope and celebrity gossip SMS charges. “It’s ignominy for a company like T-Mobile to profit from scams against its customers when there were clear warning signs the charges it was imposing were fraudulent, ” said FTC Chair Edith Ramirez. The Federal Trade Commission asked the court to order T-Mobile to stop cramming on mobile bills and provide refunds to customers. Federal regulators are urging customers to review their phone bills for suspicious charges.

“Consumers should not be charged for services that they did not order,” said Travis LeBlanc, acting chief the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau, in a statement. “We will coordinate our investigation with the FTC, and use our independent enforcement authority to ensure a thorough, swift, and just resolution of the numerous complaints against T-Mobile.”

Save yourself and your money from cramming:

• Carefully review your phone bills every month.
• Carefully read all promotional materials before signing up for plans or other SMS services.
• If you think that a company’s charges are too high, contact other reliable phone service providers and try to get a better deal.
• Keep a record of your phone services and plans you have requested and used. 

The Federal Trade Commission has been pursuing  third-party merchants who use deceptive or misleading practices for some time, but the action against T-Mobile, a leading wireless service provider, marks the first time the commission has filed such a suit against a wireless carrier.

Role of Cell Phones in Business

No matter what type of business you run, a cell phone can effectively connect you with your customers and business partners anywhere in the world. Using a mobile phone in business allows greater flexibility during working hours. The more flexible you feel, the greater your chances are to have an effective growth of your business with your customers and clients.

Wireless technology has made it possible for businessmen to communicate internally and externally regardless of where they are. Many cell phones today have the capability of performing tasks that your computer, laptop, and iPad can perform. You can access the internet, write emails, and send documents anywhere, anytime. For example, if your client needs a proposal and you have already left the office for the day, you can still upload and send the document from your cell phone.

Free Government Cell Phone Plan

Considering the fact that cell phones are an indispensable part of today’s life, the government extended its Lifeline assistance plan to wireless service which can provide low income individuals with a free government cell phone plan. According to this plan, people who are eligible for this service will receive Free Government cell phone minutes each month. Under this cellular plan, most providers will give eligible customers a free handset and a fixed number of talking minutes, free of cost. By availing this free cellular phone service, you can save a considerable amount of money. With this free cell phone, you can send and receive text messages. You can even add minutes by buying them at low, reasonable rates.

Visit mygovernmentcellphone and apply for a free Government Cell Phone plan in Arizona, Kansas, Missouri and other states. With just a few simple clicks, you will be able to apply for the free government cell phone plan. With this amazing plan, you will never have to worry about the high bills and hidden charges. Apply now!

Know All About the Free Cell Phone Services

There is no doubt about the fact that a mobile phone no longer remains an entertainment device but, rather a necessity. Half of the world population uses a cell phone at all times to stay in touch with their friends, family and more. In addition to this, many businesses today work solely through wireless conversations, making a mobile phone a must-have for everyone. However, at the same time, everyone is well aware of the fact that the cost of almost everything has skyrocketed in the past few years and it is not easy for everyone to afford a cell phone today.

Fortunately, the government offers help for low income families in the form of a free government cell phone plan in Louisiana, Arkansas, Illinois, and other states of the U.S.A. Under this free government cell phone plan, people who qualify are entitled to receive a free cell phone along with certain basic facilities. The plan includes free cell phone handsets along with the facilities of making long distance and local calls, sending and receiving text messages, accessing voicemails, and using 911. Moreover, under this plan there are a few basic costs for a few states. For instance, the Oklahoma residents will pay $1 per month for the 1000-minute plan.

The qualifying criteria to apply for the free government cell phones can be slightly different for different states. The residents of Louisiana, Arkansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Maryland, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Washington, Rhode Island, Nevada, Iowa, Texas and West Virginia, all share the same requirements. They must be participating in any of the government assistance programs like the Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Medicaid, National School Lunch Program's Free Lunch Program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). They can also apply if their monthly household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.